Outside Magazine Names KEEN as One of America’s Best Places to Work in 2012

Today KEEN was named to Outside Magazine’s fifth annual “Best Places to Work” list, which will appear at outsideonline.com on August 2 and in its September issue. KEEN was ranked No. 59 out of 100 companies selected as those that best enable employees to pursue active lifestyles while also supporting their social and environmental contributions.

Outside’s “Best Places to Work” project celebrates the innovative companies setting a new standard for a healthy work-life balance. The list was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association and Best Companies Group. The year-long selection process began with an outreach effort that identified a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in the United States. Participating companies were then sent confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer-questionnaires to collect information about benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programs.

”KEEN is all about encouraging people to bring creativity to their work, get outside to play, lead a balanced life, and care about the world around us,” said Evelyn Carriòn, KEEN U.S. human resources manager. “Our workplace reflects our HybridLife philosophy to create, play and care, which guides our product creation and is the cornerstone of the values we share with our fans.”

The Company is committed to its employees both personally and professionally, placing a high value on team spirit, robust employee benefits and a community engaged in a creative and energetic workplace. “We strive to make each employee feel valued and rewarded for their efforts and contributions to our company,” said Carrion.

KEEN has made Recess – 10 minutes of playtime outside every day to unplug, re-energize and spark creativity — an integral part of its work environment. “Every day you can find people taking Recess breaks outside and playing games in our Great Room, using company-provided bikes to run errands, or enjoying enrichment activities in our learning lab,” said Carriòn. In 2011 KEEN launched its Recess Is Back initiative to inspire other people and businesses to join the movement.

The Company’s commitment to the environment is reflected in its workspaces, where extensive use of repurposed materials and sustainable building methods creates an inspiring work atmosphere—including bookshelves made from school lockers, tables made from car hoods, and couches made from old car seats. And later this year when the Company moves to its new Portland, Oregon headquarters, the newly restored building the renovation aims to finish renovated without sending a single dumpster to a landfill.

KEEN’s commitment to nurturing the environment extends to charitable contributions and community involvement with non-profits that promote getting outside and restoring and preserving open spaces for the public to enjoy. In its short history, KEEN has donated more than $6 million in cash and resources through its Hybrid.Care giving program, to organizations, such as Waterkeeper Alliance, The Conservation Alliance, American White Water, and Playworks. In addition to basic personal time off, KEEN also provides 32 hours per year of service leave to every employee so they may volunteer for non-profits of their choice.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate all 100 of these forward-thinking companies,” says Michael Roberts, Senior Executive Editor of Outside. “They believe success depends on helping their employees live more active and fulfilling lives. The kinds of benefits they’re providing—free fitness classes, flexible hours, subsidized healthy meals, lots of time out of the office—result in a more productive and engaged staff.”

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To learn more about how you can bring Recess back to your organization, visit recess.keenfootwear.com.

About KEENKEEN Inc., manufacturer of original hybrid footwear, bags and socks was founded in 2003. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, KEEN offers innovative hybrid products that enable outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy an active lifestyle. Known for its innovation and creativity, KEEN started with the invention of the first sandal that protects the toe – the Newport. Since its inception, the company has applied that same problem-solving design approach to expand its footwear collection and offer bags and socks. KEEN offers products that allow people to go anywhere: from trekking the wilds of the world, exploring a cool city, heading to work, or skipping to a playground down the street. KEEN’s products are sold in specialty footwear, travel and outdoor retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains worldwide. In 2010 and 2011, KEEN was named one of “America’s Best Places to Work” by Outside magazine. KEEN strives to demonstrate integrity and leadership while promoting a vibrant, inclusive community. Through its Hybrid.Care giving program, KEEN supports a variety of social and environmental organizations around the globe. Discover more about KEEN at keenfootwear.com, facebook.com/keeninc and twitter.com/keen. Discover more about Recess at recess.keenfootwear.com.

About Outside MagazineOutside is America¹s leading active lifestyle brand. For more than 30 years, Outside has covered travel, sports, adventure, health, and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the world Outside. The Outside family includes Outside magazine, the only magazine to win three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence, The Outside Buyer’s Guides, Outside Online, Outside Television, Outside Events, Outside+ tablet edition, and Outside Books. Visit us online and on Facebook.

About The Best Companies GroupBest Companies Group works with national and local partners around the country to establish and manage “Best Places to Work,” “Best Companies,” and “Best Employers” programs on a national, statewide, and regional basis. Through its thorough workplace assessment, utilizing employer questionnaires and employee-satisfaction surveys, BCG identifies and recognizes companies who have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence.

About the Outdoor Industry AssociationFounded in 1989, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the premier trade association for companies in the active outdoor recreation business. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. Outdoor Industry Association seeks to ensure a healthy and diverse specialty retail and supply chain based on quality, innovation and service. To this end, OIA works diligently to raise the standards of the industry; increase participation in outdoor recreation to strengthen business markets; provide support services to improve member profitability; represent member interests in the legislative/regulatory process; promote professional training and education; support innovation; and offer cost-saving member benefits. Search for outdoor-industry jobs is at OIA’s career center:outdoorindustry.org.